Method of making lubricant nipples



June 11,,19'29. L, Moo RE ,4 1,716,500

METHOD OF MAKING LUBRICANT NIPPLES Fi'led April 20, 1927 P my 5L i DIlllll Patented June 11, 1929.

GEORGE L. MOORE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR TO ALEMITE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD OF MAKING LUBRICANT NIPPLES.

Application filed April 20,

This invention relates to lubricant receiving nipples of the type whichare adapted to be iixed into a bearing structure and which areordinarily provided with bayonet lugs for attachment to the dischargeoutlet of a grease gun.

An object of the invention is to provide a nipple of improved form,together with a method by-which they can be more easily and cheaplymanufactured than those at present in use. Other objects will appearfrom the following description, reference being had-to the accompanyingdrawings.

Figure 1 shows a finished and assembled nipple in elevation.

Figure 2 shows a sectional elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the nipple.

Figure 4 is illustrative of the manner in which these nipples are formedfrom a bar of stock. a

Figure 5 shows the nipple as it comes from the screw machine. v

Figure 6 shows a die through which the nipples are forced to make thelugs.

Figure 7 shows another view of the die, with a nipple in position readyto be punched.

Figure 8 shows a punch for finally shaping the lug.

Figure 9 shows an end view of Figure 5 with added lines to show theparts removed by the die.

Figure 10 shows the nipple with the shearing operation partly completed.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 indicate various cross sections of the metal rodwhich may be conveniently used to produce these nipples.

One of the defects of the nipples which are at present in use is that apin is passed through a hole drilled transversely through the nipple.This pin projects on each side, the ends serving for lugs to attach tothe grease gun. The central part of the pin serves as a seat for thespring. The pin not only adds considerably to the cost of the nipples,but there is no means of providing a perfectly tight joint where the pinpasses through the walls of the nipple. In the nipple as shown in thedrawings a double advantage is gained, as the pin is dispensed withentirely and the lugs are made integral with the body. it isunnecessary, of course, to' drill through the walls of the nipple andthe expense of making the pin and inserting it is saved. A

nearly the full length of the nipple 1927. Serial No. 185,087.

third advantage lies in the fact that with the pin construction the pinwas located quite close to the ball andit was necessary to use verylight springs of high grade spring steel to prevent the bending of thespring upon the introduction of the lubricant. lVith thepresentconstruction the spring may extend if desired and a strong springof comparatively heavy wire may be used. This results in a very positiveseatingof'the valve and entire prevention of leakage.

The method of producing these nipples is very simple and easilyperformed. The stock is furnished in rods of suitable length for use inan automatic'screw machine. The main diameter A of the nipple is formedby turninlg in the screw machine. The diamter B is the original diameterof the stock. The thread 0 is cut by a die; the bores 5 and 6 aredrilled and the nipple is finally cut oil, allautomatically in the screwmachine. These operations in themselves are not broadly new in generalscrew machine practice and no further description of them is necessary.

The nipples as taken from the screw ma chine are in the form shown inFigure 5 and have an annular skirt D from which the lugs 7 are yet to beformed. operation is in a die such as shown in Figures 6 and 7 andforcing them through the die with a punch P. This shears off thesegments SS of the annular skirt D, as indicated in Fig ures 9 and 10.The lug 7 is now of square cross section and for ordinary uses it may beleft this way, but the lugs may be rounded by striking in an automaticdie, as indicated in Figure 8, the nipples being placed in a hollowedout portion of the die 8 with the lugs adjacent to semicircular \g-roove9. The

This forming punch 10 is formed atthe end the same as the die 8 and whenthe punch is struck against performed by inserting the nipple the diethe grooves 9 and 11 cooperate to shape the square lug tocircular crosssection. 7 It will be understood that while these nipples are preferablymade fromrods having a circular cross section, as shown in Figure. 11,they may also be made from any suitable stockhaving a cross section asgreat as that of the nipple taken across the lug. For instance, theymight be made of fiat sided stock, as shown in Figure 12, or hexagonalstock, as shownin- Figure 13.

- an internal bore which extends nearly to its upper end. The bore 5 isterminated in a valve seat 4 and a smaller outlet bore 6, a ball checkvalve 3 is seatedaga'inst the valve seat 4 by a coil sp)ring 2. Thiscoil spring is held in position y turning over an annular skirt 10,which is left at the endof the nipple when the pieces are cut off.

The lubricant is injected through the bore 6 by a greasegun in a mannerwell under:

stood. The lubricant enters with considerable force and remains underconsiderable pressure, so that .it is desirable to have a tightly seatedvalve. It has been customary to have the'spring seat against a in in thebore, but since this pin also 'forme the lugs, it had'to beinconveniently close to the ball; Due to the relatively great movementof the ball by the lubricant it was necessary to use a very light springwhich would permit a suiticientmovement of the ball without bending, asthere was no room to put in a heavy spring with sufiicient length toavoid bending. The present arrangement; however, permits substantiallythe full length of the nipple to be used. as a spring-chamber, and aheavy spring of substantial length may be. used.

By use of this arrangement a comparatively leak proof nipple isobtained, for even though there ma be ,minute imperfections in the valveor t e valveseat, the force of the spring seats the valve so firmly thatno lubricant can leak through.

It will be obvious that this invention may be used in various ways andaccordingly I do not wish to limit myself except as set forth of nipplesand ,of cross-section as great in one direction as the distance betweenthe ends of the lugs on opposite sides, turning the rod down to thediameter of the cylindrical portion of the nipple, except at the portionwhere the lugs are to be provided, thereby leaving a flange projectingfrom the cylindrical body of the nipple, cutting off the nipple from therod and shearing away the portions of the flange not required for thelugs in a die.

2. The method of forming :lubricant nipples of the type having asubstantially cylindrical body portion and having a plurality of lugsextending radially therefrom in the sameplane, which consists inproviding a rod of stock having a cross section'of a size greater thanthe desired nipple diameter, turning down the'rod to the finisheddiameter of the nipple, except near the plane of the lugs,.therebyleaving a flange in the plane of'the lugs and shearing oif segments ofthe flange between the vportions which are desired as lugs, therebyleaving lugs of substantia-lly square cross section and striking thelugs in a die to reduce them tovcircular cross section.

tion.

roviding bar In testimony whereof]: sign this specifica- "GEORGE L.MOORE;

